Allison Mishkin

Program/Research Associate

Ms. Mishkin was the Program/Research Associate for the National STEM Video Game Challenge. She joined the Cooney Center in 2011 as an associate web producer, supporting the Center’s Publications and Communications department.

Before joining the Cooney Center, Allison served as the lead ELA Games Product Owner at Amplify where she consulted with game design companies to manage production of a suite of Middle School English games. A former Google Policy Fellow, Allison has published research on all aspects of technology and society from literacy, to young girls and STEM education, youth interaction in online communities, telecommunications policy and more. As a freelance consultant, she has worked with start-ups and non-profits including Quirky, E-Line Media, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art to help them manage grow audience and customer bases.

A Thouron fellow, Allison graduated from Oxford University as the Google Graduate Scholar at the Oxford Internet Institute. She received a BA degree from the University of Pennsylvania with an individualized degree in the Social Implications of Computer Science, and is interested in how technology influences child development and human communication. Outside of her technical pursuits, Allison loves musical theater, kickball, and baking treats for her coworkers and friends.

Recently posted by this author:

On November 14, 2016, the National STEM Video Game Challenge celebrated its fifth year with an awards ceremony and reception in Washington, DC at National Geographic for all 24 student winners and their families, as well as leading educators, game designers, and policy makers from across the country. I’ve been …

Submissions for the 2016 National STEM Video Game Challenge closed Monday, August 15 and we’re extremely impressed by the nearly 5,000 students across the United States who registered. As we head into the screening and judging process, we’re excited to share what’s next for the STEM Challenge—and to reflect on …

We are excited to launch the 2016 National STEM Video Game Challenge, a competition that transforms student passions for game play into a pathway towards gaining core STEM problem solving skills… all while designing their own video games! Students are invited to create playable games on any platform or to …

A long-distance runner, 13-year-old Lance Dugars knows how to go the distance. This very drive to cross the finish line helped him create The Brink Walker, the winning Middle School Gamestar Mechanic entry in the National STEM Video Game Challenge. Lance, from Katy, TX is an avid Gamestar Mechanic user …

Like most 13 year old boys, Cole Nutgeren has diverse hobbies and interests, like playing the piano and fencing. But unlike many kids his age, he takes a systems thinking approach to everything he does and likes to think about the building blocks that make these systems run. It is …

Olivia Thomas, 17, is a 21st century learner. We got to spend some time with this self-directed and self-motivated creative thinker at the National STEM Video Game Challenge winners weekend in Pittsburgh, and were impressed by her drive to chase the opportunities she wants and the generous spirit that pays …

The 11th annual Games+Learning+Society Conference brought together game designers, educators, researchers, funders, academics, cultural institutions, and everyone in between (…and yes… there are even more individuals interested in learning games). This diverse collective sparked debate around issues facing games and learning and the future of this growing field, and, fittingly, …

What do virtual reality innovators, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Mr. Roger’s studio have in common? All three were part of an amazing weekend honoring the winners of the 4th annual National STEM Video Game Challenge! Ten students and their families celebrated their achievements this past weekend in Pittsburgh, PA, home …

Like most teenagers, Nicolas Badila, 15, spent Memorial Day playing video games. But, unlike his friends, he was playing games at the White House. Nic, one of the winners of the 2013 National STEM Video Game Challenge, had been invited to showcase his winning game at the White House Science …

A designer in many senses of the world, Janice Tran is the high school winner of the 2013 STEM Challenge Best Game Design Document. Although she was a high school senior when she won, Janice is now a freshman in college where she is studying graphic design. She has been …